SNOWSHOEING

LINKS

Mt. Spokane Snowshoers:

A seasonal permit is required to park in any of the snowshoe parking lots that are plowed. Your Discover Pass will work if you are on the side of the road. You need a seasonal permit and a groomed trail permit to park in the snowmobile parking lot or the Selkirk Lodge Cross Country Parking Lot..
Information on where to buy seasonal/groomed trail permits here: http://www.parks.wa.gov/winter/
(They are available at REI on Monroe- extra service fee).

Here is all you need to know about permits and access passes on Mt. Spokane. Access Mt. Spokane

McKinnick Trail - Sandpoint

This is a 3.5 mile trail (one-way) that "switchbacks" through 160 acres of huge rock outcroppings, grassy meadows, and old growth timber There are views of Lake Pend Oreille, Sandpoint, the Cabinet Mountains and the Pend Oreille River very early in the snowshoe. The trail gets a lot of local use so is usually easy to find although as you get near the top it may be more challenging. The top boasts an elevation of 4300' for a total elevation gain of 2150'.

The land was originally donated by Nicky Pleass in 1997 to the U.S. Forest Service in memory of her late husband Mick Pleass. Both Mick and Nicky envisioned a scenic trail directly above Sandpoint Idaho. They wanted to preserve this scenic land for future generations and as a gift to the community. In 2005 the trail was opened thanks to grants and partnerships between the Idaho Panhandle Resource Advisory Committee, the City of Sandpoint, Bonner County, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and The Friends of Mickinnick Trail.

Directions: From Sandpoint, take Hwy. 95 north 1.3 miles to Schweitzer Mountain Road; turn left and go 0.5 miles; turn right at the T junction and go 0.8 miles; turn left (at Schweitzer Sign) and go 0.5 miles to Woodland Drive; turn left and go 0.7 miles. The trailhead parking area is located on the right. There is also an outhouse there.

Lots of good places to eat in Sandpoint after the hike. The drive is about 2 hours.